Extinguishing ashtray

ABSTRACT

An ashtray of the type which slides into and out of a mount includes an elongated cigarette receiving and extinguishing trough with its longest dimension aligned with the direction of movement of the ash container. An expelling lever is hinged from the mount extending into the trough. When a cigarette is placed in the trough and the ash container closed or moved to a position within the mount, the lever does not engage the cigarette, which remains in the trough covered by the mount and extinguished. When the ash container is opened or moved out of the mount, the lever engages the cigarette and expels it from the trough.

United States Patent Eilertson Sept. 25, 1973 EXTINGUISHING ASHTRAY 1,912,598 6/1933 Snadden 131/237 [75] Inventor: Earl E. Eilertson, Albuquerque, N. 2,950,722 8/1960 Mellonm. 131/237 Assignees: Arnold M v q q 3,651,817 Baker Mex.; Eugene E. Eilertson, Utica, 1 Mich part interest to each Primary Examiner.loseph Reich Att0rneyRichard A. Bachand [22] Filed: July 22, 1971 [2]] Appl. N0.: 165,366 [57] ABSTRACT R l t d Us, A li ti D An ashtray of the type which slides into and out of a [62] Division of Sen No. 40,472, May 22 1970 Pat No mount includes an elongated cigarette receiving and 3,620,226 extinguishing trough with its longest dimension aligned with the direction of movement of the ash container. 52 us. 01 131/235 R, 131/240 E An expelling lever is hinged from the mount extending 51 1m. 01. A24 19/14 into the trough when a Cigarette is Placed in the [58] Field of Search 131/235 R, 235 J, trough and the ash container Closed Or moved to a P 131/235 C, 237, 240 E 265 tion within the mount, the lever does not engage the cigarette, which remains in the trough covered by the 5 References Cited mount and extinguished. When the ash container is UNITED STATES PATENTS opened or moved out of the mount, the lever engages the cigarette and expels it from the trough. 3,319,633 5/1967 Glidden 131/235 R 2,327,5l8 8/1943 Glidden 131/240 E UX 5 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures EXTINGUISHING ASHTRAY CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a division of co-pending application Ser. No. 40,472, filed May 22, I970, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,620,226, issued Nov. 16, 1971.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to improvements in ashtrays, and more particularly to ashtrays for receiving and extinguishing lighted cigarettes.

2. Description of the Prior Art In general, ashtrays presently widely in use, are designed simply to receive ashes and cigarette butts; commonly, ashtrays usually contain a number of receiving or supporting portions to hold a lighted cigarette in a position which allows its ashes to fall into a receiving portion of the ashtray. With such ashtrays, to extinguish a cigarette, a smoker must crush the fire end of the cigarette into the receiving tray, or into a particular protrusion designed as a part of the ashtray for that purpose. Since however, cigarettes are often not completely extinguished by such crushing, they continue to burn, frequently setting other cigarette butts in the ashtray afire, and often continuing to burn to filter portions, whichcharacteristically emit an offensive odor when burned.

Ashtrays have been purposed in which a tube of diameter slightly larger than ordinary cigarettes is provided into which a burning cigarette may be placed. Be-

cause of the insufficient air supply within the tube to maintain the fire of the cigarette, and due to heat conduction by the tube material, the cigarette.is extinguished. As subsequent lighted cigarettes are placed into the tube, the preceding extinguished cigarettes are pushed through the tube to fall into a conveniently placed receptacle.

In automobiles the problem of partially extinguished cigarettes becomes acute since the atmosphere in the automobile is relatively close, and smoke from a partially extinguished cigarette may be offensive to the occupants of the car. Additionally, in automobiles, if the driver smokes, he may be dangerously distracted when he attempts to extinguish his lighted cigarette. This is especially troublesome if the ashtray is relatively full of cigarette butts, which further complicates an otherwise simple process of crushing a cigarette, and may additionally compound the problem of the offensive smell as described above. Also, especially in automobiles, the ashtrays may contain other flammable materials, such as gum wrappers, cigarette packages, and the like, which may be easily set afire by a partially extinguished cigarette.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In light of the above, it is an object of the present invention to present an ashtray which includes means for receiving and extinguishing lighted cigarettes placed thereinto.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an ashtray which may be concealed for use in an automobile, airplane, bus, or other such application wherein a concealed ashtray is desirable.

It is a further object of the invention to present a cigarette receiving and extinguishing means which may be used in conjunction with presently existing ashtrays and which may be easily fabricated as a portion thereof.

These and other objects, features. and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the attached claims and accompanying drawings.

In accordance with the invention an ashtray for extinguishing a lighted cigarette placed therein is presented. The ashtray includes a container adapted to receive cigarettes and cigarette ashes, which carries a plurality of extinguishing tubes. Each tube is of diameter slightly larger than a lighted cigarette to be extinguished, and is disposed to receive cigarettes in end to end relation at a first end and to discharge extinguished cigarettes pushed through the tube by subsequently inserted cigarettes, to fall from a second end of the tube into the container. Alternatively, the ashtray may include an extinguishing trough carried by the container of dimensions slightly larger than the lighted cigarettes placed therein. Means for restricting the air supply to the interior of the trough are provided to extinguish the lighted cigarette, and means for expelling the extinguished cigarette are additionally provided to remove the cigarette from the trough into the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The invention is illustrated. in the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the ashtray of the invention, which has been partially cut away to illustrate the interior thereof.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the ashtray of the invention. I

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the ashtray of the invention, which has been partially cut away to expose the interior of the ashtray and to illustrate its mode of operation.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an ashtray for use primarily in vehicles or in other applications in which it is desired that the ashtray be concealable or movable to an out of the way position.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention for use as aconcealable ashtray.

FIG. 6 is another alternative embodiment of an ashtray in accordance with the present invention which may be concealed.

FIG. 7 is yet another alternative embodiment of an ashtray in accordance with the present invention, which may be concealed in the arm of a chair or the like.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An ashtray in accordance with the invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. The ashtray includes an overall dome 10 having a plurality of holes 11 formed therethrough at various locations. At each hole 11 is disposed the open end of a tube or cylinder 12 of diameter slightly larger than an ordinary cigarette extending inwardly to communicate with a means for receiving cigarette .butts 13. The tubes 12 may be glued, welded, soldered, or otherwise affixed to the holes, at a flared portion 16, as illustrated. The means for receiving the cigarette butts 13 may include a cap 14, through which tubes 12 may extend, removably attached to a receiving portion 15. The receiving portion 15 may be a jar or other con 17 therethrough, closable by doors 18 hingedly attached to the dome 10. The doors 18 may be biased outwardly to maintain a normally closed position, illustrated, by means of springs or other biasing means (not shown).

In operation, the dome may conveniently be disposed on a pedestal (not shown) at a height of between about 2 to 4 feet. A lighted cigarette, after used, may be inserted into a tube 12, perhaps guided thereinto by the flared portion 16. Because of the lack of air and the conduction properties of the tubes 12, cigarettes inserted thereinto are extinguished in just a few seconds. As subsequent cigarettes are inserted into the tubes 12, the preceding cigarettes are forced through the tubes 12 into the receiving means 13, there to be contained until the receiving jar 15 is emptied. Flammable cigarette packages, gum wrappers, and other flammable material may be expediently disposed of by simply pushing the material through one of the doors 17 to fall into the pedestal or basis upon which the dome 10 is disposed.

The materials of which the various parts of the ashtray may be constructed are not critical, but, of course, should be substantially non-flammable. Because the ashtray of the invention causes cigarettes placed thereinto to be extinguished in a matter of seconds, the materials used in the fabrication of the various parts need not be absolutely fire or heat resistant. For example, in the illustrated ashtray of FIG. 1, the various parts, except the extinguishing tubes 12 may conveniently be moulded, cast, sculptured, or otherwise formed of plastic, rubber, clay, or other formable material. Although not illustrated, it is understood that tubes 12 may be of various diameters to accommodate cigars and the like.

An alternative embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 2 wherein a receiving and extinguishing tube 20 is carried by a receiving container 21. The receiving-extinguishing tube 20, of any substantially non-flammable material, may have flared open end portions 22 for receiving lighted cigarettes. The center portion of the receiving tube 20 may be partially cut away to form an opening 23 over the receiving container 21 to allow the extinguished cigarette butts traversing the receiving tube 20 to fall into the receiving container 21. Additionally, a commonly used cigarette carrying bracket 24 may be included on the receiving tube 20 to hold the burning cigarettes and to allow the ashes therefrom to fall into the receiving container 21.

Like the receiving tubes of FIG. 1, the receiving tube 20 is intended to receive cigarette butts in end to end relationship, the subsequent cigarette butts inserted into an end 22 of the receiving tube 20 pushing the extinguished cigarette butts along the length of the tube through the opening 23 to fall into the receiving container 21.

A third embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 3 in which a plurality of cigarette receiving tubes 30 are formed into a cover 31 carried by a receiving container 32. The cigarette receiving tubes 30 may be commonly joined at dome 33 within the cover 31. Dome 33 may be of hemispherical shape, as shown, to assist in forcing the cigarettes expelled from the receiving tubes 30 into the receiving container 32. Additionally, an ash receiver tray 34 may be carried by the cover 31, and, if desired, may include a number of cigarette holders (not shown) to maintain and receive burning cigarettes and to allow the ashes therefrom to fall into the tray 34.

Once again, in operation, cigarette butts are inserted into the receiving tubes at the open ends 35, and are extinguished rapidly within the receiving tubes 30 by lack of air and by conduction of the heat by the receiving tubes 30. As subsequent cigarette butts are inserted into the open end of the receiving tube 30 the preceding cigarettes are forced down through the tube and into the receiving container 32.

For use in vehicles or other instances in which a concealable ashtray is desired, the ashtray may be arranged as illustrated in FIG. 4. The ashtray of FIG. 4 includes a mounting bracket which may be affixed by bolts, screws, or other means to a dashboard or panel having sufficient space behind it to receive the body of the ashtray. The ashtray itself may include a receiving assembly 41 slidably mounted in the mounting bracket 40. Affixed to an interior wall of the assembly 41 is an open ended U-shaped trough 42, disposed to fit snugly against the top of the mounting bracket 40 when the assembly 41 is in a concealed position within mounting bracket 40. At one end of the U-shaped trough 42 is a partition 43 dividing the U-shaped trough 42 into two portions 44 and 45. Affixed to the top portion of the mounting bracket 40 and under which the U-shaped trough 42 slides is a hinged lever 46 which extends downwardly the approximate length of the U-shaped trough and which is easily moved through a slot in the partition 43. The lever 46 is free to swing in a direction into the mounting bracket 40, but is restrained to swing in an outward direction by a portion 47 of the mounting bracket 40.

In operation, a lighted cigarette is placed in one portion 44 of U shaped trough 42, and the entire receiving assembly 41 moved into the receiving bracket 40. Because of the U-shaped trough 42 fits snugly against the top of the receiving bracket 40, there is insufficient air for the cigarette to continue burning, and the cigarette is extinguished. When the receiving container 41 is moved out to the open position illustrated, the lever 46 slides the cigarette contained in the U-shaped trough 42 out through the open end, thereby allowing it to fall into the container 41.

Another embodiment of the concealable ashtray of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 5. A receiving con tainer 50 is slidably mounted on brackets 51 and 52, which may be contained behind the dashboard of an automobile, airplane, or the like 53. A U-shaped trough 54 may be rotatably mounted across the width of the receiving chamber 50 by pins 55. In the closed or concealed position, a cover 56 is provided, disposed directly over the trough 54 substantially isolating the trough 54 from the surrounding air. At one end of the trough 54 is an extension of protrusion 57 in line with lever 58, hingedly attached to the panel 53. Lever 58 is disposed to be free to swing inwardly as the protrusion 57 is passed thereby as the receiving container 50 is moved to the closed position. The lever 58, however. is restrained from swinging outwardly as the receiving container 50 is moved to the open position; thus, the protrusion 57 engages lever 58 and the trough 54 is caused to revolve.

Thus, when a lighted cigarette is placed in a receiving trough 54, and the ashtray container 50 is moved to a closed position the cigarette is extinguished under the cover 56. When the ashtray is then pulled out of the panel 53, the lever 58 comes into engagement with the protrusion 57 and the trough 54 rotated, thereby expelling the extinguished cigarette.

A third embodiment of the concealed ashtray of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 6 in which a mounting bracket 60 contains a receiving container 62 slidably mounted therein. A U-shaped trough 63 is rotatably mounted within the container 62 by pins 64, rotating along an axis parallel to the direction that container 62 slides into and out of mounting bracket 60. About the outside of the trough 63 is a worm gear or screw pitch protrusion 65 which is engaged at the closed position by L-shaped lever 66. Mounted along the top of mounting bracket 60 is a second U-shaped member 67 which substantially covers the trough 63 in the closed position.

Thus, in operation, when a lighted cigarette is placed in the U-shaped trough 63 and the container 62 moved to a closed position within the mounting bracket 60, the U-shaped member 67 in conjunction with the trough 63 cuts off the air supply to the cigarette, thereby extinguishing it. As the ashtray container 62 is moved to the open position illustrated, L-shaped lever 66 engages the worm gear protrusion 65, rotating the trough and expelling the cigarette from the trough 63 into the receiving container 62.

Another embodiment of the concealable ashtray of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 7, designed for use in the arm of a chair, such as on an airplane type chair or other similar type chair. The receiving chamber 70 has rotatably mounted therein a U-shaped trough 71, mounted by rotating pins 72, having at one end a protrusion or extension 73. The cover portion of the container 70 has attached to it a cane shaped catch lever which rides on a guide 75 along one side of the container 70.

Thus, in operation, a cigarette is placed in the receiving trough 71 and the top portion 76 of the container 70 is closed. The top portion 76, together with the trough 71 cut off the air to the cigarette, thereby causing it to become extinguished. When the top cover 70 is opened, cane lever 74 engages protrusion 73, thus causing the trough 71 to rotate and expel the contained extinguished cigarette into the container 70.

Although not illustrated, the invention as depicted in FIGS. 4-7 is particularly suitable to adaptation to a removable frame insertable into the class of ashtrays illustrated. Thus, for example, the rotatable troughs of FIGS. 5-7 may be mounted on a frame of size appropriate to be inserted into the receiving container, and may also include a clip or other means for fastening the frame within the ash receiving container. The lever to actuate rotation of the trough may additionally be made to be easily installable by a pre-assembly of the lever mechanism requiring simple fastening means such as metal screws or the like. Likewise, the fixed trough of FIG. 4 and its respective actuating lever may be prefabricated into an easily installable frame and lever mechanism. The advantage, of course, in the prefabrication of the respective parts in easily installable packages is that pre-existing ashtrays may be easily and simply modified to include the extinguishing device of the invention without requiring separate machining and other modifications of pre-existing parts.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. An ashtray for slideable engagement with a mount between exposed and concealed positions, comprising: an ash and cigarette receiving container having an open top, an elongated trough having an open end and having an open top conterminous with the open top of said container and carried by and within said container with its longest dimension aligned in the direction of movement between exposed and concealed positions of said container, whereby when said container is exposed, a cigarette may be laid within said trough, and when said container is concealed a portion of said mount overcovers the open top of said trough to restrict the air flow thereinto,

thereby extinguishing the cigarette,

a lever,.and

means for mounting said lever on said mount to extend into said trough through its open top and to engage the cigarette only when said container is moved from concealed to exposed positions to expel the cigarette through the open end of said trough into said container.

2. The ashtray of claim 1 further comprising a positioning barrier within said trough to limit the loca-tions within the trough at which the cigarette may be placed and to allow said lever to engage a cigarette placed in any allowable position in said trough.

3. The ashtray of claim 1 wherein said trough is of generally U" shape.

4. The ashtray of claim 1 wherein said mount is provided with a hole, and wherein said lever comprises a plate affixed to said mount adjacent the hole, and an elongated member hinged to said plate and extending through the hole into said trough, whereby said elongated member is free to swing within the hole when said container is moved from exposed to concealed positions and is constrained from swinging by said mount within the hole when said container is moved from concealed to exposed positions to engage said cigarette and expel it from said trough.

5. The ashtray of claim 2 further comprising a positioning barrier ofU shape, whereby said lever is free to pass therethrough, said barrier being within said trough to divide it into two chambers, whereby said lever falls free from the cigarette into one of said chambers as said container is moved from concealed to exposed positions. 

1. An ashtray for slideable engagement with a mount between exposed and concealed positions, comprising: an ash and cigarette receiving container having an open top, an elongated trough having an open end and having an open top conterminous with the open top of said container and carried by and within said container with its longest dimension aligned in the direction of movement between exposed and concealed positions of said container, whereby when said container is exposed, a cigarette may be laid within said trough, and when said container is concealed a portion of said mount overcovers the open top of said trough to restrict the air flow thereinto, thereby extinguishing the cigarette, a lever, and means for mounting said lever on said mount to extend into said trough through its open top and to engage the cigarette only when said container is moved from concealed to exposed positions to expel the cigarette through the open end of said trough into said container.
 2. The ashtray of claim 1 further comprising a positioning barrier within said trough to limit the loca-tions within the trough at which the cigarette may be placed and to allow said lever to engage a cigarette placed in any allowable position in said trough.
 3. The ashtray of claim 1 wherein said trough is of generally ''''U'''' shape.
 4. The ashtray of claim 1 wherein said mount is provided with a hole, and wherein said lever comprises a plate affixed to said mount adjacent the hole, and an elongated member hinged to said plate and extending through the hole into said trough, whereby said elongated member is free to swing within the hole when said container is moved from exposed to concealed positions and is constrained from swinging by said mount within the hole when said container is moved from concealed to exposed positions to engage said cigarette and expel it from said trough.
 5. The ashtray of claim 2 further comprising a positioning barrier of ''''U'''' shape, whereby said lever is free to pass therethrough, said barrier being within said trough to divide it into two chambers, whereby said lever falls free from the cigarette into one of said chambers as said container is moved from concealed to exposed positions. 